Improper Solicitation from a Lawyer?

Lawyers in all states, including Tennessee and Georgia, are governed by a set of rules regarding conduct, ethics, and professionalism. Subject to certain specific exceptions, it is generally inappropriate for a lawyer to “solicit” business from “specifically identified persons.” In other words, the client is supposed to choose a lawyer, instead of the lawyer choosing the client. Nevertheless, a very small number of lawyers obtain police accident reports in an attempt to identify individuals injured in car wrecks. Once those individuals are identified, a letter from the law firm is sent to the accident victim in an attempt to obtain business. In Tennessee, the Rules of Professional Responsibility permit such communications if the lawyer has a familial or prior professional relationship. In all other cases, such communications (solicitation) shall not be sent until more than 30 days have passed since the accident or disaster occurred. If you are contacted by an attorney immediately after you have been injured in a wreck, it is possible that you are being improperly solicited by a lawyer that is disregarding the rules of professionalism that govern lawyers. Do you want that law firm representing you? Improper solicitation is an unsavory practice that should not be tolerated.